red line

noun

Ice Hockey. a line of the color red that is parallel to and equidistant from the goal lines and divides the rink in half.
a limit, point, or boundary beyond which one may not go without incurring negative consequences:
The use of chemical weapons is a red line, which, if crossed, could trigger military action.

red line

noun

a point beyond which a person or group is not prepared to negotiate

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Word History and Origins

Origin of red line¹

First recorded in 1960–65

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Approving Russia's illegal annexation would not just be a red line for Ukraine but would be a terrifying precedent for countries such as Romania that border the Black Sea.

From

There is no reference to any ban on western countries continuing to rearm Ukraine, something that in the past has been a red line for Russia.

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It is understood to be the first time that Israel has added Hamas disarmament as a condition for advancing a ceasefire - a red line for the group.

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"It is very clear that certain actors have decided it's difficult to negotiate with Zelensky. Why? Because he has red lines that he is sticking to."

From

A complete ban on any nuclear enrichment - even for civilian purposes - has long been seen as an absolute red line for Tehran.

From

redline redlining

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